Reviewed by Debbie Koss-Warner, on February 29th, 2012 Author: Flynn Meaney Illustrator: Series: Publisher: Little, Brown and Company ISBN: 9780316102148 Year Published: 2010 Price: $9.99 Grade Level: Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12 Rating: R
- Author: Flynn Meaney
- Grade Level: Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12
- ISBN: 9780316102148
- Price: $9.99
- Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
- Rating: R
- Reading level: Grade 6
- Year Published: 2010
Teenage Finbar Frame, who suffers from the likes of bullies because of his geeky stature, soon becomes influenced by vampire romance novels. He becomes a “vampire” himself to attract young gals — his one-way ticket to popularity. Finbar’s journey as a “vampire” helps him to discover that he must be true to himself.
This novel . . . → Read More: Bloodthirsty
Reviewed by Christine Evans, on February 28th, 2012 Author: Katherine Krohn Illustrator: Cynthia Martin and Barbara Schultz Series: Graphic Science Publisher: Capstone Press ISBN: 978-1-4296-3413-7 Year Published: 2009 Price: $19.99 Grade Level: 3 - 9 Rating: R
- Author: Katherine Krohn
- Grade Level: 3 - 9
- Illustrator: Cynthia Martin and Barbara Schultz
- ISBN: 978-1-4296-3413-7
- Price: $19.99
- Publisher: Capstone Press
- Series: Graphic Science
- Year Published: 2009
- Rating: R
This non-fiction graphic novel presents the topic of renewable energy in an easy to read and understand format. The Table of Contents includes: Where does energy come from?; What makes energy renewable?; Large-scale renewable energy; and New Roads in renewable energy. Renewable energy source topics included are solar, wind, water, geothermal and biomass. The mix . . . → Read More: A Refreshing Look at Renewable Energy with Max Axiom Super Scientist
Reviewed by Carol Hahn, on February 24th, 2012 Author: Benton, Jim Illustrator: Series: Franny K. Stein, Mad Scientist Publisher: ABDO/Spotlight ISBN: 9781599618210 Year Published: 2011 Price: Grade Level: 1-3 Rating: Ad
- Author: Benton, Jim
- ISBN: 9781599618210
- Length: 103 pgs
- Publisher: ABDO/Spotlight
- Series: Franny K. Stein, Mad Scientist
- Year Published: 2011
- Grade Level: 1-3
- Rating: Ad
Frantastic Voyage is volume 5 of the Franny K. Stein series, an easy chapter book filled with just about as many illustrations as text space. This book will be popular with reluctant readers and is geared more towards girls. Franny is definitely not your typical girl, but considers herself right up there with her namesake. . . . → Read More: Frantastic Voyage
Reviewed by Carol Hahn, on February 24th, 2012 Author: adapted by Jan Fields Illustrator: Fisher, Eric Scott Series: Calico Chapter Books Publisher: Magic Wagon/ABDO ISBN: 9781616416119 Year Published: 2012 Price: Grade Level: 2-5 Rating: R*
- Author: adapted by Jan Fields
- Illustrator: Fisher, Eric Scott
- ISBN: 9781616416119
- Length: 112 pgs
- Publisher: Magic Wagon/ABDO
- Year Published: 2012
- Series: Calico Chapter Books
- Grade Level: 2-5
- Rating: R*
This book may be little, but it’s very powerful. Forty-seven fables from Aesop are featured, many with an accompanying black and white illustration. The fables are short, but to the point, at the end of each is the lesson to be learned in bold-faced type. Although short, each fable still gives the flavor of the . . . → Read More: Aesop’s Fables
Reviewed by Carol Hahn, on February 24th, 2012 Author: Greaves, Margaret Illustrator: Pinkney, Jane Series: Publisher: Anova Books Ltd ISBN: 9781843651895 Year Published: 2011 Price: $14.99 Grade Level: Elementary Rating: R
- Author: Greaves, Margaret
- Illustrator: Pinkney, Jane
- ISBN: 9781843651895
- Length: 32 pgs
- Price: $14.99
- Publisher: Anova Books Ltd
- Year Published: 2011
- Grade Level: Elementary
- Rating: R
The Mice of Nibbling Village is a compilation of verses and accompanying illustration. Each page features a different ‘citizen’ of Nibbling Village whose description is told in lovely, old-fashioned verse. Children will love the quality of the words and the soothing tone as they view the lavishly detailed illustrations of each mouse in his/her abode. . . . → Read More: The Mice of Nibbling Village
Reviewed by Carol Hahn, on February 24th, 2012 Author: Bracegirdle, P.J. Illustrator: Series: The Joy of Spooking Publisher: McElderry Books ISBN: 9781416934189 Year Published: 2010 Price: 15.99 Grade Level: 4th and up Rating: R
- Author: Bracegirdle, P.J.
- Grade Level: 4th and up
- ISBN: 9781416934189
- Length: 298 pgs
- Price: 15.99
- Publisher: McElderry Books
- Rating: R
- Series: The Joy of Spooking
- Year Published: 2010
This series, The Joy of Spooking, sound like The Joy of Cooking, but actually it is very misleading, for a reason. Joy is the name of the main character, and she together with her younger brother and mother and father, live in the town of Spooking, which lives up to it’s name. Spooking used to . . . → Read More: Unearthly Asylum
Reviewed by Janet Enlow, on February 23rd, 2012 Author: George, Lucy Illustrator: Eyckerman, Merel Series: Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company ISBN: 978-0-8075-0510-6 Year Published: 2010 Price: $15.99 Grade Level: K, 1st Rating: A
- Author: George, Lucy
- Grade Level: K, 1st
- Illustrator: Eyckerman, Merel
- ISBN: 978-0-8075-0510-6
- Length: 22 pg.,
- Price: $15.99
- Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company
- Rating: A
- Reading level: 1st
- Year Published: 2010
Tortoise was so worried about his first day of school. What if he falls down? What if he doesn’t like lunch? What if he doesn’t make any friends? But he gets up the courage to go inside the building to announce, “Good Morning,” to everyone. They all respond back, “Good Morning Mr. Tortoise!” to their . . . → Read More: Back to School Tortoise
Reviewed by Janet Enlow, on February 23rd, 2012 Author: Landau, Elaine Illustrator: Series: I Like Holidays! Publisher: Enslow Publishers, Inc. ISBN: 978-0-7660-3704-5 Year Published: 2012 Price: Grade Level: 1st, 2nd Rating: A
- Author: Landau, Elaine
- Grade Level: 1st, 2nd
- ISBN: 978-0-7660-3704-5
- Length: 24 pg.
- Publisher: Enslow Publishers, Inc.
- Rating: A
- Reading level: 2nd gr.
- Series: I Like Holidays!
- Year Published: 2012
This book covers very general information about St. Patrick’s Day, such as: Saint Patrick’s Life, celebration activities, and symbols that represent the day. It has a table of contents, glossary, reference books, web sites and an index.
Reviewed by Janet Enlow, on February 22nd, 2012 Author: Isop, Laurie Illustrator: Millward, Gwen Series: Simon & Schuster Publisher: ISBN: 978-1-4424-1291-0 Year Published: 2011 Price: $15.99 Grade Level: 1st, 2nd Rating: A
- Author: Isop, Laurie
- Grade Level: 1st, 2nd
- Illustrator: Millward, Gwen
- ISBN: 978-1-4424-1291-0
- Length: 30 pg.
- Price: $15.99
- Series: Simon & Schuster
- Rating: A
- Reading level: 2nd gr.
- Year Published: 2011
This cute story discusses the ways to hug many different animals, but repeatedly questions, “How do you hug a porcupine?” Finally, in the end, the answer is given, “Carefully!”
Reviewed by Janet Enlow, on February 22nd, 2012 Author: Bateman, Teresa Illustrator: Kanzler, John Series: Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company ISBN: 978-0-8075-1160-2 Year Published: 2011 Price: $16.99 Grade Level: 1st, 2nd Rating: A
- Author: Bateman, Teresa
- Grade Level: 1st, 2nd
- Illustrator: Kanzler, John
- ISBN: 978-0-8075-1160-2
- Length: 28 pg.
- Price: $16.99
- Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company
- Rating: A
- Reading level: 2nd gr.
- Year Published: 2011
Soon after 3 puppies were left on the side of the road in a cardboard box, they were picked up and dropped off at a shelter. An older dog has told them it is Christmas Eve and people will want to adopt puppies this time of year. Ruff and Tuff decide to misbehave so their . . . → Read More: The Christmas Pups
Reviewed by Debbie Koss-Warner, on February 21st, 2012 Author: Lauren DeStefano Illustrator: Series: Chemical Garden Publisher: Simon & Schuster ISBN: 9781442409057 Year Published: 2011 Price: $17.99 Grade Level: 9th grade, 10th grade, 11th grade, 12th grade Rating: R*
- Author: Lauren DeStefano
- Grade Level: 9th grade, 10th grade, 11th grade, 12th grade
- ISBN: 9781442409057
- Price: $17.99
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster
- Rating: R*
- Reading level: 9th grade
- Series: Chemical Garden
- Year Published: 2011
Rhine Ellery is a 16-year-old girl growing up in the dangerous world that the old generations have left for her. In this world, women only grow to be twenty and men only twenty-five due to a genetic life-shortening pandemic. In this first book of the Chemical Garden Trilogy, we experience what it is like for . . . → Read More: Wither
Reviewed by Mary Mathis, on February 20th, 2012 Author: Brimner, Larry Dane Illustrator: Series: Publisher: Calkins Creek ISBN: 9781590787663 Year Published: 2011 Price: 16.95 Grade Level: 8 - 12 Rating: R
- Author: Brimner, Larry Dane
- Grade Level: 8 - 12
- ISBN: 9781590787663
- Length: 112 pgs.
- Price: 16.95
- Publisher: Calkins Creek
- Year Published: 2011
- Rating: R
This offers a thorough look at the Civil Rights movement through the opposing eyes of Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth and the Commissioner of Public Safety “Bull” Connor. These giants of the 1950 and 60′s came head-to-head in the multiple conflicts such as the Bethel Baptist Church bombing, the Woolworth department-store lunch counter sit-in, attacks by the . . . → Read More: Black & White: The Confrontation between Reverend Fred L. Shuttlesworth and Eugene “Bull” Connor
Reviewed by Christine Evans, on February 20th, 2012 Author: Josh Gregory Illustrator: Series: Nature's Children Publisher: Children's Press (Scholastic) ISBN: 978-0-531-20900-4 Year Published: 2012 Price: $28.00 Grade Level: 3rd - 7th Rating: R
- Author: Josh Gregory
- Grade Level: 3rd - 7th
- ISBN: 978-0-531-20900-4
- Price: $28.00
- Publisher: Children's Press (Scholastic)
- Rating: R
- Series: Nature's Children
- Year Published: 2012
Dolphins is 45 pages of interesting facts accompanied by stunning photographs of various species of dolphins in captivity and the wild. The book is well-written and interesting, perfect for a student report. The index and glossaries are helpful features. I would have liked to see a page that showed a photograph of each of the . . . → Read More: Dolphins
Reviewed by Janet Enlow, on February 20th, 2012 Author: Wight, Eric Illustrator: Wight, Eric Series: Simon & Schuster Publisher: ISBN: 978-1-4169-6484-1 Year Published: 2009 Price: $9.99 Grade Level: 2nd, 3rd gr. Rating: A
- Author: Wight, Eric
- Grade Level: 2nd, 3rd gr.
- Illustrator: Wight, Eric
- ISBN: 978-1-4169-6484-1
- Length: 85 p.
- Price: $9.99
- Series: Simon & Schuster, Frankie Pickle
- Rating: A
- Reading level: 3rd gr.
- Year Published: 2009
Frankie like to keep his bedroom messy. When his mother gives his permission to not clean his room, Frankie is on cloud nine (or cloud swine). His toys get stepped on, he runs out of clean clothes, he has nightmares about his mess, and his family complains about his aroma which makes him realize that . . . → Read More: Frankie Pickle and the Closet of Doom
Reviewed by Janet Enlow, on February 20th, 2012 Author: Wight, Eric Illustrator: Wight, Eric Series: Simon & Schuster Publisher: ISBN: 978-1-4169-8972-1 Year Published: 2011 Price: $9.99 Grade Level: 2nd-3rd Rating: A
- Author: Wight, Eric
- Grade Level: 2nd-3rd
- Illustrator: Wight, Eric
- ISBN: 978-1-4169-8972-1
- Length: 87p.
- Price: $9.99
- Series: Simon & Schuster, Frankie Pickle
- Rating: A
- Reading level: 3rd gr.
- Year Published: 2011
Frankie has trouble with his math and is quite concerned about the test he has to retake on Monday. He runs out of time all weekend long when his friend comes over to play several games of Yugimon, and he helps his mom shop for groceries. Then his sister plays football with him and he . . . → Read More: Frankie Pickle and the Mathematical Menace
Reviewed by Janet Enlow, on February 20th, 2012 Author: Vernon, Ursula Illustrator: Series: Dragonbreath Publisher: Dial Books ISBN: 978-0-8037-3469-2 Year Published: 2010 Price: $12.99 Grade Level: 3rd, 4th, 5th Rating: R
- Author: Vernon, Ursula
- Grade Level: 3rd, 4th, 5th
- ISBN: 978-0-8037-3469-2
- Length: 204p.
- Price: $12.99
- Publisher: Dial Books
- Rating: R
- Reading level: 3-4
- Series: Dragonbreath
- Year Published: 2010
Danny the dragon and his best friend Wendell the Iguana have quite the problem on their hands when Wendell is bitten from a school cafeteria hot dog, and suddenly starts growing back-hair. When the two sneak into the cafeteria to investigate, they find out that the hot dog labels are marked, “Were-Wieners, Product of Transylvania.” . . . → Read More: Curse of the Were-Wiener
Reviewed by Julie Hitt, on February 19th, 2012 Author: Cooper, Diana Illustrator: Shannon, Kate Series: Tara and the Talking Kitten Publisher: Findhorn Press ISBN: 9781844095513 Year Published: 2011 Price: $8.95 Grade Level: 3-4 Rating: A
- Author: Cooper, Diana
- Grade Level: 3-4
- Illustrator: Shannon, Kate
- ISBN: 9781844095513
- Length: 80 pages
- Price: $8.95
- Publisher: Findhorn Press
- Rating: A
- Series: Tara and the Talking Kitten
- Year Published: 2011
Diana Cooper has written 5 books about Tara and her talking kitten, Ash-ting. In the first chapters of this book, Tara meets her guardian angel who protects her. “Uncle” Steve came to visit and made Tara and her sister, Mel, very uncomfortable. Both Ash-ting and her guardian angel encourage Tara to tell her parents. As . . . → Read More: Tara and the Talking Kitten Meet Angels and Fairies
Reviewed by Julie Hitt, on February 19th, 2012 Author: Mattern, Joanne Illustrator: Series: World Crafts and Recipes Publisher: Mitchell Lane ISBN: 9781584159377 Year Published: 2011 Price: $24.50 Grade Level: 5-7 Rating: R
- Author: Mattern, Joanne
- Grade Level: 5-7
- ISBN: 9781584159377
- Length: 64 pages
- Price: $24.50
- Publisher: Mitchell Lane
- Rating: R
- Reading level: 5-6
- Series: World Crafts and Recipes
- Year Published: 2011
Joanne Mattern begins with interesting information in her introduction to traditional China. She discusses Chinese cooking and variations of cuisine within the different climates from north to south. Eleven recipes include rice and noodle dishes, dumplings, desserts, holiday foods, and tea. Ingredients and instructions are clear. When adult assistance is indicated, the text is bold. . . . → Read More: Recipe and Craft Guide to China
Reviewed by Christine Evans, on February 19th, 2012 Author: Julie Murray Illustrator: Series: Going to Work School Edition Publisher: ABDO Publishing Co. ISBN: 978-1-61613-508-9 Year Published: 2011 Price: $18.95 Grade Level: 2-4 Rating: R
- Author: Julie Murray
- Grade Level: 2-4
- ISBN: 978-1-61613-508-9
- Price: $18.95
- Publisher: ABDO Publishing Co.
- Rating: R
- Series: Going to Work School Edition
- Year Published: 2011
This book examines the role of principal in a school. It is one of six in the school edition of ABDO’s Going to Work series. Principals is written simply but with enough information for a 2nd to 4th grader interested in the topic. This book is full of colorful and complimentary photographs of principals doing . . . → Read More: Principals
Reviewed by Christine Evans, on February 19th, 2012 Author: Karla Oceanak Illustrator: Kendra Spanjer Series: Aldo Zelnick Comic Novel Publisher: Bailiwick Press ISBN: 978-1-934649-04-6 Year Published: 2009 Price: $12.95 Grade Level: 3-7 Rating: R
- Author: Karla Oceanak
- Grade Level: 3-7
- Illustrator: Kendra Spanjer
- ISBN: 978-1-934649-04-6
- Price: $12.95
- Publisher: Bailiwick Press
- Rating: R
- Series: Aldo Zelnick Comic Novel
- Year Published: 2009
This is the first in a fun series reminiscent of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books in format and style. The unique angle of this book is that it incorporates and defines words which begin with the letter “A”. Each book in the series focuses on a subsequent letter in the alphabet with definitions . . . → Read More: Artsy-Fartsy
Reviewed by Christine Evans, on February 19th, 2012 Author: Mark Sperring Illustrator: Miriam Latimer Series: Publisher: Andersen Press USA ISBN: 978-0-7613-7486-2 Year Published: 2011 Price: $16.95 Grade Level: K-3 Rating: R
- Author: Mark Sperring
- Grade Level: K-3
- Illustrator: Miriam Latimer
- ISBN: 978-0-7613-7486-2
- Price: $16.95
- Publisher: Andersen Press USA
- Rating: R
- Year Published: 2011
The illustrations make this picture book especially appealing as we follow a young boy with a colander on his head who spends his day imaging battles with dragons using the sunflower his mother gave him for a sword. Imagination takes flight in bright and cheerful illustrations which fill the page with whimsical images. Suddenly the boy . . . → Read More: The Sunflower Sword
Reviewed by Christine Evans, on February 17th, 2012 Author: Ashley Bryan Illustrator: Ashley Bryan Series: Publisher: Simon and Schuster ISBN: 978-1-4169-8939-4 Year Published: 2010 Price: $16.99 Grade Level: K - 1 Rating: R
- Author: Ashley Bryan
- Grade Level: K - 1
- Illustrator: Ashley Bryan
- ISBN: 978-1-4169-8939-4
- Price: $16.99
- Publisher: Simon and Schuster
- Rating: R
- Year Published: 2010
Beautiful! This favorite Christian poem has been gloriously illustrated with colorful, detailed and very geometric paper cut-outs. A lovely addition to our Catholic school library, I believe this will be a kindergarten class read-aloud. For the musically minded, the poem is put to music in the back of the book.
Reviewed by Christine Evans, on February 17th, 2012 Author: Eve Bunting Illustrator: Beth Spiegel Series: Publisher: Boyds Mills Press ISBN: 978-1-59078-439-6 Year Published: 2010 Price: $16.95 Grade Level: K - 2 Rating: R
- Author: Eve Bunting
- Grade Level: K - 2
- Illustrator: Beth Spiegel
- ISBN: 978-1-59078-439-6
- Price: $16.95
- Publisher: Boyds Mills Press
- Rating: R
- Year Published: 2010
This book will especially appeal to a child whose mother is expecting a baby. Little Edward really wants a little brother but finds his parents are right and he is delighted with his new baby sister when she finally comes. Sweet and genuine, this darling picture book captures the view of a typical older sibling-to-be . . . → Read More: Will It Be a Baby Brother?
Reviewed by Christine Evans, on February 17th, 2012 Author: Brian Jacques Illustrator: Sean Rubin Series: Redwall Publisher: Philomel Books ISBN: 9780399254161 Year Published: 2011 Price: $23.99 Grade Level: 5 - 12 Rating: R
- Author: Brian Jacques
- Grade Level: 5 - 12
- Illustrator: Sean Rubin
- ISBN: 9780399254161
- Price: $23.99
- Publisher: Philomel Books
- Rating: R
- Series: Redwall
- Year Published: 2011
This book in the Redwall series stood out as unique from the others in that it was more like a separate story with mainly new characters. Martin the Warrior was present in the plot but many new characters were introduced. The main character in the Redwall books are typically quite well-developed. However, in this book, . . . → Read More: The Rogue Crew
Reviewed by Christine Evans, on February 17th, 2012 Author: Carolyn Cohagan Illustrator: Jessica Handelman Series: Publisher: Aladdin ISBN: 9781416986164 Year Published: 2010 Price: 16.99 Grade Level: 5 - 7 Rating: R
- Author: Carolyn Cohagan
- Grade Level: 5 - 7
- Illustrator: Jessica Handelman
- ISBN: 9781416986164
- Price: 16.99
- Publisher: Aladdin
- Rating: R
- Year Published: 2010
An interesting combination of fantasy, science fiction and horror, this book is hard to put down. Although the cover art implies a 3rd or 4th grade reader, the content is definitely for older readers (5th – 7th grade). In this story, a 12 year old girl named Josephine lives an unhappy life with a father . . . → Read More: The Lost Children
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